Reminisce
The city lights flickered through the rain-streaked windows of his penthouse. Cold Dim. Quiet Except for the low hum of jazz playing from an old vinyl he hadn't touched in months. The needle looped in place like his thoughts.
Then his phone buzzed. A secure line.
Lev
What? What do you mean?
Yuan
She's not in Italy anymore.
Yuan
Slipped out quietly, private jet. Matuse, Japan
Yuan
I know what I said. *Let out a deep, frustrated grunt*
Yuan
Thirty hours ago. She's off the grid now, but not alone. Someone arranged the flight, and I'm still tracing the name.
Lev
Your husband's idea of fun is messing with me, isn't it?!
Lev
I have to go in the main estate-
Lev
He said that Dianne isn't there anymore.
Uriah
*sigh* every man is a pain.
Uriah
You sure that she's still here?
Lev
She won't leave without saying anything to me.
？？？
Oh, I see. Godfather has been waiting for you.
Lev
*tightens jaw* Where is she?!
??? • FL's Father
Not here. Not in Italy. Not in this house. And no longer your concern
Lev
Cut the riddles, old man. I'm not in the mood-
??? • FL's Father
She's getting married
??? • FL's Father
The papers are signed
??? • FL's Father
She left with no goodbyes. Take a hint, boy
Lev
No-! She wouldn't just disappear! Not without a reason.
??? • FL's Father
Believe what you want... but I'm telling you the truth.
The door closed, and he was left alone on the steps.
??? • FL's Father
They'll be staying with us for 5 months. Do you understand, Dia?
Dianne (3yrs old)
Yes! Dad!~
Roderick • ML's Father
I'm quite certain they'll get along just fine. Children are far better at diplomacy than we are~
??? • FL's Father
Let’s hope they stay that way
Dianne shyly peeks up at Lev, who fidgets with the hem of his sleeve. Their eyes meet, just a moment— and she gives him a tiny, uncertain smile.
Dianne (3yrs old)
What's your name????
Lev (5 yrs old)
Lev. Aleksei Lev,
Dianne (3yrs old)
Oh! I'll call u levvy then! ~
Dianne (3yrs old)
My name's Dianne Ophelia Florence! Call me Dia!! ~
Lev (5 yrs old)
That's ugly.
Roderick • ML's Father
S- see? They know how to joke around..! Ahahhahahah...
Lev gently places a tiny red berry on top of the snowman’s head. Dianne watches with wide eyes, holding her teddy close to her chest.
Dianne (3yrs old)
Let’s make him a crown! He can be the snow prince!
Lev (5 yrs old)
He looks like he’s melting
Dianne (3yrs old)
He’s not! He’s special!
Lev (5 yrs old)
He has no arms and one eye. That’s not special, that’s sad *shrugs*
Dianne (3yrs old)
*Stares at the snowman, then at Lev.* You’re mean.!
Lev (5 yrs old)
You like it.
Dianne (3yrs old)
No I don’t.!
Lev (5 yrs old)
*Places the berry on top of the snowman’s head.* There. Now he’s the king of bad snowmen,
Dianne (3yrs old)
He’s our snowman!! ~
Dianne (3yrs old)
*pulling at his sleeve with her mitten while giggling*
Lev (5 yrs old)
What's wrong?
Dianne (3yrs old)
Do you like playing with me, Lev??
Lev (5 yrs old)
I don’t like anyone.
Lev (5 yrs old)
*Pause. Then he sighs, brushing snow from her shoulder with the back of his glove.*
Lev (5 yrs old)
But I don’t hate you...
The sun filters through the window, casting soft gold across the stairwell. Lev sits hunched on the step, head resting on his knees, jaw clenched. He doesn’t speak when Dianne comes over, just stares ahead, jaw tight.
Dianne (8 yrs old)
You’re sad again.
Dianne (8 yrs old)
Did you fight with your dad..?
Dianne (8 yrs old)
I brought you something! ~
Dianne (8 yrs old)
*Shows him a small flower keychain, a little uneven but handmade with care.*
Lev (10 yes old)
What am I supposed to do with that?
Dianne (8 yrs old)
I dunno *shrugs* Keep it, or throw it. But I wanted you to have it
Lev glances at the keychain, then at her eyes, lingering for a moment. His voice is gruff but low now.
Lev (10 yes old)
You’re annoying!
Dianne (8 yrs old)
You say that every time
Lev (10 yes old)
Cause it’s true
A long pause. Then he reaches out and takes the handmade gift from her hand, fingers brushing briefly.
Lev (10 yes old)
...Thanks.
Dianne sits beside him, not saying anything else.
The late afternoon sun stretches long shadows across the rooftop. Dianne sits cross-legged on the floor, poking at her shoe. Lev leans against the railing nearby, arms crossed, gaze casually drifting toward her again.
Dianne (14 yrs old)
Why are you looking at me like that? *squinting at him*
Dianne (14 yrs old)
You are. You’ve been doing that all day.
Lev (16 yrs old)
Your face changed. It looks... weird
Dianne (14 yrs old)
Weird?! *offended*
Lev (16 yrs old)
Not ugly. Just different
Dianne (14 yrs old)
Well... your voice is weird now too. It sounds like it got stuck halfway through growing up.
Lev (16 yrs old)
At least it doesn’t squeak just like yours when I talk
Dianne (14 yrs old)
It does not!
A breeze tosses her hair across her face. There’s a beat of silence, and then—
Dianne (14 yrs old)
Why does everything feel… strange lately?
Lev (16 yrs old)
Because we’re not kids anymore
Dianne (14 yrs old)
I don’t like it
Dianne (14 yrs old)
How do you know?
Lev (16 yrs old)
Because I see who you’re becoming
Dianne (14 yrs old)
*Looks up, confused again* Stop saying weird stuff like that. It makes my brain itchy.
Lev (16 yrs old)
Then don’t listen, princess.
Comments